Claire Sweeney has opened up about her emotional departure from Coronation Street, teasing an 'explosive' exit storyline for her character Cassie Plummer. The actress, who joined the ITV soap in 2023 as the estranged mother of Tyrone Dobbs, has already filmed her final scenes and is set to leave the cobbles this summer.
Emotional Farewell
Speaking on Ireland AM, Sweeney revealed that the reality of leaving hit her on her last day of filming. 'I didn't realise until my last day of filming how I actually felt,' she said. She compared her acting career to a train journey, where people come and go, but noted that her three years on Corrie made the goodbye particularly hard. 'Alan Halsall [who plays Tyrone] has become part of the family. Simon Gregson, Kate Ford, Elle Mulvaney, the crew – they've all become like family and it was hard saying goodbye. It was very, very emotional.'
A Memorable Run
Cassie Plummer's time on Weatherfield has been packed with drama. From poisoning national treasure Ken Barlow to starting a romance with Steve McDonald, she has been at the centre of major storylines. Sweeney reflected on her experience working with Bill Roache, who plays Ken. 'How lucky was I to work with Bill Roache? I got to poison a national treasure – it was fabulous!'
Explosive Exit Teased
When asked about her character's departure, Sweeney teased: 'I can say one word – explosive. That's just me on a night out in Dublin!' She added that she feels 'very blessed' to have been given a wonderful exit storyline. 'I couldn't have asked for better.'
Next Chapter: Miss Hannigan
Sweeney is leaving the soap to take on the role of Miss Hannigan in the upcoming tour of Annie. A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed her departure earlier this year, saying: 'We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play. Cassie will be on the cobbles until the summer, during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield leading up to a great exit storyline.'
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
